Nebraska Initiatieve - Click to view an accessible PDF.
Added Jun 15, 2026
HHS Region 7 · Nebraska Rural Health Flex Program
Program Overview
The Nebraska Rural Health Transformation Program remains in its initial implementation phase, deploying statewide initiatives slated to launch in Spring 2026 with rolling annual funding opportunities for rural providers. Major focus areas continue to be food as medicine, emergency and behavioral health, workforce acceleration, eHealth, and facility modernization, under direct oversight by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and active guidance from established Health Care Advisory Regions. The program maintains emphasis on technology-enabled solutions, regional care coordination, and targeted workforce and access enhancements. Current structured plan tracks 7 key initiatives and 24 strategic goals.
Updated
County-level estimates averaged across Nebraska — % of adults 18+ unless noted. Delta vs US county average shown in red/green.
pp = percentage points vs US county average
County Drilldown (93)
| County | Pop | Poverty | Uninsured |
|---|---|---|---|
| Douglas County | 590,736 | 11.8% | 7.7% |
| Lancaster County | 326,696 | 11.9% | 6.9% |
| Sarpy County | 197,389 | 5.6% | 4.0% |
| Hall County | 62,536 | 14.1% | 12.1% |
| Buffalo County | 50,579 | 9.9% | 5.3% |
| Dodge County | 37,351 | 11.0% | 7.9% |
| Scotts Bluff County | 35,843 | 12.9% | 8.9% |
| Madison County | 35,532 | 13.1% | 7.7% |
| Platte County | 34,716 | 9.8% | 8.1% |
| Lincoln County | 33,802 | 12.4% | 7.0% |
| Adams County | 31,052 | 12.7% | 8.5% |
| Cass County | 27,161 | 5.2% | 3.1% |
AI source: NE - 2026 - Form 5 – Submission Checklist
AI auto-updated Nov 11, 2026
API refreshed May 7, 2026
GuideGetting ready for Year 2 in Nebraska?How to prepare for RHTP Year 2 funding →
Source: CMS State Data Maps ↗ · checked Nov 11, 2026
Federal awards to date: $437,776,850.43 (Year 1 $218.5M + Year 2 $219.2M)
Initiatives (7)
CMS stages run from Stage 0 (planning) to Stage 5 (full implementation). Complete In progress Not started
Key signals are summarized here. Open the source for the supporting detail.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Grouped files
No related documents
No linked documents found.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Grouped files
7 related documents
677,796 rural residents
Nebraska has opened RFAs for the Rural Health Transformation Program and issued applicant guidance and budget instructions, but no awards have been made yet. Applications are due October 26, 2026, and multiple funding opportunities are posted with detailed parameters. The state is currently in an active application and review phase, and procurement rounds remain open. Award decisions and subrecipient selections are still pending. State opportunities: 1 active (1 open, 16 past/closed), $10.5M listed funding. Key opportunities: Critical Access Hospitals to Rural Emergency Hospitals Conversion Grants; Nebraska RHTP Initiative 5.3: Modification of Existing Clinical Facilities for Mental Health Crisis; Rural Virtual Reality and Skills Acceleration Network. Strategy alignment: supports telehealth, care access, workforce priorities.
Nebraska’s RHTP sustains a prevention-first, regionally coordinated rural health transformation model, focusing on modernizing infrastructure, accelerating workforce development, and expanding integrated care through competitive grants. Engagement of Health Care Advisory Regions (HCARs) provides ongoing community input to adapt implementation to local needs, while robust application and reporting requirements ensure transparency and accountability. Targeted investments continue in technology, behavioral health, facility upgrades, food-as-medicine, and rural workforce pipelines.
Model
Statewide, regionally coordinated, prevention-first rural health transformation—integrating technology, workforce development, transparent data, and cross-sector partnerships to close rural care, equity, and outcome gaps.
Key Initiatives (7)CMS official list ↗
Supporting activities (15)
• School kitchen modernization grants and regional food pantry development to build rural food-as-medicine infrastructure and expand access to whole foods, with expanded eligible costs, prioritization for rural, tribal, and food desert communities, and increased applicant support.
• Farm-to-school procurement systems and policy technical assistance, including support for equipment, aggregation, processing, distribution, minor facility modifications, expanded eligible uses, rigorous reporting, and targeted support for rural and underserved areas.
Timeline: Five-year RHTP award cycle with initial RFAs beginning March 2026, first grant funding in Spring 2026, and annual application rounds each program year.
Assisted Living Facility (ALF) Special Needs Population Incentive Model
eHealth and Mobile
Make Rural Nebraska Healthy Again Through Food as Medicine
Nebraska Rural Health Technology Catalyst Fund and Partnership Initiative (NETECH)
Regionalized Rural Access and Navigation
Rural Emergency Behavioral Health
State Policy Action commitments (2 of 19)
Nebraska has received $219.2 million for the second year of the Rural Health Transformation Program, indicating continued federal investment in rural health transformation efforts in the state.
Funding focused on recruitment, retention, and training of rural healthcare providers to address workforce shortages.
Initiatives to keep care local and leverage consumer-facing technology aim to improve access in rural and frontier counties.
NE - 2026 - RHTP Initiative 3.3 Awards
RHTP Initiative 3.3 Awards
NE - 2026 - RHTP Initiative 3.3 Rural Health Care Workforce Incentive and Sustainability Model Intent to Award
RHTP Initiative 3.3 Intent to Award
NE - 2026 - Intent to Award
Intent to Award (R 4533 NHAP Legal Services)
NE - 2026 - Request for Application (RFA) Rural Health Care Workforce Incentive and Sustainability Model
RHTP Initiative 3.3 Intent to Award (variant)
NE - 2026 - Nebraska Project Summary RHTP
Auto-grouped context match (38%)
NE - 2026 - Nebraska RHTP
Auto-grouped context match (37%)
NE - 2026 - Mary Lanning Healthcare successful in RHTP grant applications
Mary Lanning Healthcare news article
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
Due Jul 31, 2027
3 related documents
NE - 2027 - RHTP RFA – Initiative 4.4a Community Health Worker (CHW) Training and Support
Primary source
NE - 2027 - RHTP RFA – Initiative 2.5: Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) to Rural Emergency Hospitals (REH) Conversion
Auto-linked by identifier (package file)
NE - 2026 - RHTP – Initiative 2.5 Request for Applications
Initiative 2.5 application cover form (2024)
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services / Invest Nebraska
Due Nov 9, 2026
5 related documents
NE - 2026 - NETECH Rural Health Catalyst Fund Cohort 1 Application
Application package - Cohort 1 application (printable copy)
Nebraska Department of Education (NDE)
Due Sep 1, 2026
5 related documents
NE - 2026 - School Kitchen Modernization Grants Informational/Question and Answer Session Announcement
Informational Q&A Session Announcement
By budget period: BP1 $41.6M (from the award date, the source's publish date, or RCJ having recorded the award before Budget Period 2 began)
| FY↓ | Awardee↕ | Amount↕ | Activity↕ | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026BP1 | Nebraska High Value Network RHTP Initiative 4.4b - Remote Patient Monitoring in Facilities and at Home (period of performance May 20, 2026 - May 19, 2027). Collaborative network; DHHS lists its member hospitals without individual amounts. | $18.2M | — | |
| 2026BP1 | Lutheran Family Service of Nebraska Inc Funding to support modification of clinical facilities to enhance mental health crisis services in rural Nebraska. | $2.4M | Quality Improvement | |
| 2026BP1 | Antelope Memorial Hospital RHTP Initiative 4.4b - Remote Patient Monitoring in Facilities and at Home (period of performance May 20, 2026 - May 19, 2027) | $779K | — | |
| 2026BP1 | Antelope Memorial Hospital Selected for award under Nebraska RHTP Initiative 4.4a (Chronic Disease Navigation and Education), following the Request for Application that closed March 27, 2026. | $285K | Population Health | |
| 2026BP1 | The Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital Association DBA Mary Lanning Memorial Healthcare Funding to support modification of clinical facilities to enhance mental health crisis services in rural Nebraska. | $1.0M | Quality Improvement | |
| 2026BP1 | CHI St. Mary’s RHTP Initiative 4.4b - Remote Patient Monitoring in Facilities and at Home (period of performance May 20, 2026 - May 19, 2027) | $908K | — | |
| 2026BP1 | Pawnee County Memorial Hospital RHTP Initiative 4.4b - Remote Patient Monitoring in Facilities and at Home (period of performance May 20, 2026 - May 19, 2027) | $480K | — | |
| 2026BP1 | Pawnee County Memorial Hospital Selected for award under Nebraska RHTP Initiative 4.4a (Chronic Disease Navigation and Education), following the Request for Application that closed March 27, 2026. | $340K | Population Health | |
| 2026BP1 | Regional West Medical Center RHTP Initiative 4.4b - Remote Patient Monitoring in Facilities and at Home (period of performance May 20, 2026 - May 19, 2027) | $736K | — | |
| 2026BP1 | CHI Health Schuyler RHTP Initiative 4.4b - Remote Patient Monitoring in Facilities and at Home (period of performance May 20, 2026 - May 19, 2027) | $712K | — |
Nebraska has successfully implemented $177 million in RHTP funding, as highlighted by a recent update featuring Dr. Oz. The announcement notes progress in rural health transformation efforts in the state.
Box Butte General Hospital launched a Remote Patient Monitoring program funded by Nebraska's RHTP to support chronic disease management through technology. The $200,000 award advances care coordination for rural patients using home monitoring devices aligned with existing chronic care services. Event schedule: - Program Enrollment Start - Sep 2024 - Nebraska Panhandle
Nebraska DHHS has announced a new RHTP dashboard to inform the public throughout the Rural Health Transformation Program effort.
Nebraska has received $219.2 million for the second year of the Rural Health Transformation Program, indicating continued federal investment in rural health transformation efforts in the state.
Nebraska has been awarded $219.2 million in federal funding for the second year of the Rural Health Transformation Program. This award will further support Nebraska's work to strengthen rural healthcare systems. Details about sub-awards or program specifics are not provided in the release.
The NETECH Rural Health Catalyst Fund Cohort 1 grant program seeks breakthrough health technology solutions that directly address rural health needs, with special consideration for Medicaid and low-income populations. Grants are competitive, milestone-based, and non-dilutive, targeting early-stage companies and novel innovations with clear commercialization and rural implementation plans. Applicants must fit strict eligibility criteria and detail specific outcomes, sustainability plans, compliance, and Nebraska rural pilot partners. Event schedule: - Application Generation Date - 09/25/2026 - Performance Period End - September 30, 2027
Event Schedule
Core Initiatives
This guide provides Nebraska's RHTP teams with a structured framework to organize, plan, and operationalize RHTP initiatives, ensuring technology investments are strategic, sustainable, and improve care for rural communities. It outlines program goals, approved uses, governance, and measurement strategies, and offers practical guidance on assessing readiness, maximizing existing infrastructure, and creating shared services. States are encouraged to design portfolios that balance immediate needs with long-term capability, driving measurable health outcomes after RHTP funding concludes.
Core Initiatives
Document includes highlights for Nebraska covering initiatives, 88 rural counties, application instructions, and funding rules.
Nebraska’s Keep Care Local initiatives under the Rural Health Transformation Program focus on expanding rural access to care, integrating community health workers, advancing technology-enabled services, and improving behavioral and maternal health outcomes. The program includes developing a statewide CHW certification pathway, supporting crisis stabilization centers, and strengthening the rural health workforce and infrastructure. Initiatives further target modernization of long-term care, better pharmacy access, and coordinated care for veterans and high-needs populations.
Core Initiatives
Nebraska received $218.5 million in Year 1 of the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, supporting seven major initiatives across 88 rural counties. Key focus areas include remote patient monitoring, workforce incentives, nutrition-based population health, behavioral health support, and technology acceleration. As of July 31, 2026, nearly $136 million was committed via almost 200 grant agreements, with ongoing rounds and quarterly updates to spending data. Key contacts: DHHS.RHTP@nebraska.gov Event schedule: - Year 1 award; Budget Period 1 begins - 12/29/2025 - CMS approves revised plan and budget - 02/27/2026 - End of first CMS reporting window; spending data runs through this date - 07/31/2026 - Deadline to obligate Year 1 funds; Budget Period 1 ends - 10/30/2026 - NETECH Rural Health Catalyst Fund applications due - 11/09/2026 - Quarterly reports due; CMS refreshes data - 11/30/2026 - Deadline to spend Year 1 funds - 09/30/2027 - Presidential Fitness Test deadline - 12/31/2028
Event Schedule
Contacts
Core Initiatives
Nebraska announced a Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Dashboard to improve rural health monitoring and transformation efforts.
Nebraska received $218.5 million for the first year of the RHTP and plans to release multiple Requests for Applications (RFAs) over five years to improve rural health infrastructure, workforce, and services. Key initiatives include food as medicine, rural access, workforce acceleration, eHealth, mobile care, behavioral health, and assisted living facility modernization. Event schedule: - Regional Food Pantry Development RFA Release - 03/10/2026 - Community Health Worker Networks RFA Release - 01/08/2026 - Dental Oral Health (NE Teeth Forever) RFA Release - 01/08/2026 - Rural Provider Recruitment and Retention Incentives Application Due - 04/15/2026 - Remote Patient Monitoring RFA Amended Application Deadline - 04/24/2026 - Assisted Living Facility Modernization Grants RFA Release - 06/2026
Event Schedule
Core Initiatives
This white paper provides states and rural health transformation teams a practical guide to designing, reviewing, and operationalizing RHTP investments. It emphasizes technology as an enabler, not a goal, and recommends a portfolio approach to build lasting capabilities for rural care delivery. The guide outlines federal program structure ($50B, 2026-2030), strategic goals, approved uses, and best practices for readiness and sustainability.
Core Initiatives
Reference: DR OZ Returns to Nebraska for Update on Successful Implementation of 177 Million in Rhtp Funding Link: https://ruralradio.com/kneb-am/news/dr-oz-returns-to-nebraska-for-update-on-successful-implementation-of-177-million-in-rhtp-funding/
This document highlights Rural Health Transformation Project funding for Nebraska, noting that most funds are not reaching rural hospitals. It references an external news source for more detail.
Mary Lanning Healthcare in Nebraska was successful in securing RHTP grant applications. No specific award amounts or program details were provided in the source.
This document is a supporting file for Nebraska's Assisted Living Facility Modernization Grant under RHTP for fiscal year 2026; however, it contains no substantive information or program details.
September 30, 2027
Cohort 1 funding and milestones completion deadline
All Cohort 1 funds must be expended and all milestone payments completed by September 30, 2027.
NE RHTP site updated — 1 new, 0 existing source(s) refreshed
NE - 2025 - RHTP Year One Report: Nebraska
NE - 2025 - Nebraska’s $218 Million Relief Fund Leaves Some Rural Hospitals Behind
NE state summary updated: transformationStrategy initiatives: 18 -> 7
Nebraska’s RHTP maintains operation of a regionally coordinated, technology-enabled framework for rural health transformation, focusing on w…
NE RHTP site updated — 1 new, 2 existing source(s) refreshed
Spreadsheets, data exports, and reference documents — available for download but excluded from the main activity feed. Showing the 40 most recent of 297.
2018 Procurement Manual Updated 09132018
15 Hypertension Ambulatory
14 Medication Adherence
2020 WhatisHBPMedicine
2019 Measure 438 MIPSCQM
LB1124
NebraskaRIDEFactSheet
NE - 2021 - List of Respondents - 08/18/2021
NE - 2021 - List of Respondents - 07/19/2021
NE - 2003 - List of Respondents
NE - 2026 - Attachment 1 to Work Order 2
XLSX
NE - 2001 - List of Respondents
NE - 2001 - List of Respondents
NE - 2010 - Molina Response Exhibit to Healthy Blue Protest
NE - 2026 - UnitedHealthcare of the Midlands Proposal
NE - 2026 - Nebraska Total Care Proposal - Part 2
NE - 2026 - Molina Proposal
NE - 2026 - Medica Proposal
NE - 2026 - Healthy Blue Proposal
NE - 2023 - Attachment 23 - Expansion RC and Non-Exp HIPP RC Calculation Examples
XLSX
NE - 2021 - Attachment 21 - Risk Corridor
XLSX
NE - 2022 - Attachment 20 - Heritage Health Calendar Year 2022 Capitation Rate Certification Exhibits
XLSX
NE - 2016 - Attachment 16 - Example Base Data Model - Physical and Behavioral
NE - 2015 - MS Word Format
DOCX
NE - 2015 - Attachment 15 - High Cost Drug Pool Risk Corridor
NE - 2014 - MS Word Format
DOCX
NE - 2014 - Attachment 14 - Access Standards
NE - 2013 - MS Word Format
DOCX
NE - 2013 - Attachment 13 - Reporting Requirements
NE - 2012 - Attachment 12 - Example Capitation Rates
NE - 2011 - MS Excel Format
XLSX
NE - 2011 - Attachment 11 - Data Exhibits Dental
NE - 2010 - MS Word Format
DOCX
NE - 2010 - Attachment 10 - Liquidated Damages
NE - 2022 - Attachment 9 - 2022 Health Care Acquired Conditions
NE - 2026 - Attachment 4 Rating Regions
DOCX
NE - 2026 - Attachment 2 - Nebraska Counties Classified by Urban, Rural, & Frontier Status
NE - 2026 - MS Excel Format
XLSX
NE - 2026 - Form 8 – References
DOCX
NE - 2026 - Nebraska RHTP Health Care Advisory Regions Map
Nebraska Initiatieve - Click to view an accessible PDF.
Added Jun 15, 2026
NE - 2027 - NETECH Budget Details Milestone Template
Application package - Budget & Milestone Workbook
NE - 2026 - Applications Open for the Nebraska Rural Health Technology Catalyst Fund
NETECH Cohort 1 announcement
NE - 2026 - Nebraska Rural Health Technology Catalyst Fund (NETECH) Cohort 1 Application
NETECH program details
NE - 2026 - NETECH Rural Health Catalyst Fund. Company Application, Cohort 1.
NETECH Cohort 1 application
NE - 2026 - RHTP RFA – Initiative 1.1 School Kitchen Modernization Grants
Superseded RFA (pre-8/26/2026 update)
NE - 2026 - RHTP Initiative 1.1 School Kitchen Modernization Grants Request for Application
Original RFA (pre-7/6/2026 update)
NE - 2026 - Informational/Question and Answer Session Announcement for RHTP 1.1 School Kitchen Modernization Grants
Auto-linked process guidance fallback (10%)
NE - 2026 - RHTP Initiative 1.1 School Kitchen Modernization Grants Request for Applications
RFA (updated 8/26/2026)
Event Schedule
Core Initiatives
Nebraska DHHS announced awards for its RHTP Initiative 5.3 to modify existing clinical facilities to better address mental health crises in rural areas. Thirteen recipients received federal funding totaling approximately $5.78 million for this purpose. Key contacts: Unknown DHHS.DBHPrevention@nebraska.gov Event schedule: - RFA Closure Date - 08/31/2026 - Award Announcement Date - 09/01/2026
Event Schedule
Contacts
Core Initiatives
This is a milestone budget worksheet for NETECH applicants within the Rural Tech Catalyst Fund. It requires all expenses to comply with 2 CFR 200, with each milestone's funds released only after verification of completion. The document outlines tranches for kickoff and milestones and includes instructions for expense categories. Event schedule: - "Keep all receipts. Every line must be reasonable, necessary, allocable to the project, and compliant with 2 CFR 200 Subpart E and the CMS Rural Tech Catalyst Fund Resource Guide. All funds must be spent by , 2027." -... - Performance Period Ends,", 2027" - September 30 - SUMMARY OF FUNDS
Event Schedule
This milestone-based competitive grant funds innovative technology solutions for rural healthcare in Nebraska, focusing on chronic disease management and improvement of care for Medicaid and vulnerable populations. Cohort 1 recipients will be selected via a transparent scoring process emphasizing novelty, sustainability, and tangible outcomes, with payments tied to achievement of specific milestones. Event schedule: - Application Deadline - 11/09/2026 - Online portal - Performance Period End - 09/30/2027
Event Schedule
Core Initiatives
This guide summarizes how states can use RHTP funding to build interoperable data infrastructure, coordinate rural health investments, and reduce provider burden. It highlights the need for shared services, technology planning, aligned workflows, and measurement to achieve sustainable transformation. The included panel discussion emphasizes a connected operating model for rural health and outlines key rural health challenges and solutions. Event schedule: - Guide publication date - Jul 23, 2026
Event Schedule
Core Initiatives
Nebraska received $218 million in RHTP/state Medicaid relief funds, but less than 20% has been distributed to rural hospitals so far. Many rural hospital leaders expressed frustration that the bulk of funding has supported urban-based health technology initiatives and food-as-medicine programs instead of direct hospital stabilization. Several named hospitals and local businesses received awards, while Garden County's application for urgent infrastructure needs was denied. Event schedule: - Garden County Health Services board meeting - 10/14/2025 - Garden County Health Services, Oshkosh, NE
Event Schedule
Core Initiatives
InterSystems announced a new product, Regional Health Connections, to enhance data sharing and care coordination for rural health transformation initiatives. The technology is designed as shared infrastructure to connect providers without replacing existing clinical systems. Key contacts: Zach Keating pr@intersystems.com Event schedule: - BOSTON — , 2026 — InterSystems, a creative data technology provider powering more than one billion health records globally, today announced the launch of - April 29 - InterSystems Regional Health Connections, a new of...
Event Schedule
Contacts
Core Initiatives